by Lindsay H. Jones, USA TODAY Sports

by Lindsay H. Jones, USA TODAY Sports

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Vernon Davis and Alex Boone can officially be considered holdouts after skipping the San Francisco 49ers' mandatory minicamp in hopes of securing new contracts.

Davis, a Pro Bowl tight end, and Boone, the starting right guard, had already forfeited workout bonuses by skipping voluntary workouts earlier this spring. But staying away from this week's minicamp could result in fines while drawing the ire of head coach Jim Harbaugh.

"Disappointed in the decision for them not to be here," Harbaugh said Tuesday afternoon before the team's first practice. "There was a voluntary segment to the offseason, and we appreciate those (other) guys volunteering to make the team better. Now it's mandatory and I wish they could have - this is not the decision I envision being the 49er way."

Harbaugh had indicated last week that he believed Davis would show up for minicamp, but that was not the case.

Davis, who currently owns the NFL's third-most lucrative contract among tight ends based on the five-year, $37 million contract he signed in 2010, wrote in an essay for The MMQB this week that he deserved a raise. He says he's spending time this offseason working on building his own brand, including recent participation in a charity fashion show and an appearance at the Winter Olympics in Sochi as an ambassador for the United States curling team.

Boone, meanwhile, appears dissatisfied with the deal he signed in 2011 when he was a backup tackle. He could certainly argue he's outplayed that contract after starting at guard on one of the league's strongest offensive lines over the past two seasons. He is scheduled to make base salaries of $2 million in 2014 and $1.2 million in 2015.

The absences of Davis and Boone mean first-team reps for second-year tight end Vance McDonald, who caught 19 passes while playing primarily as a blocker last year, and guard Joe Looney. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman said he has been particularly impressed with both players and how they have worked this spring while the starters are sitting out.

Another player, cornerback Eric Wright, wasn't present on Tuesday, either. That's because he retired, an announcement the 49ers made official in the afternoon.

Safety Eric Reid, who occupies the locker next to Wright's former stall at the Niners' training facility, said the veteran's departure came as a surprise.

"Maybe he's dealing with personal issues," Reid said. "I'm going to leave it up to him and not invade his space."